HOMETOWN: Louisville, Kentucky
GRADUATE PROGRAM: Doctor of Nursing Practice
CURRENT JOB: Director, Institute for Nursing (Norton Healthcare)

When Brittany Burke ('18) was looking for additional growth opportunities in her career as director of the Institute for Nursing at Norton Healthcare, she began looking into Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. After some research, she set her eyes on Northern Kentucky University.

“NKU’s program did stand out," she says. "I wanted to be challenged by people who were leaders in education and whom I didn’t work with on a daily basis. Class size, curriculum structure, faculty support and being able to develop a DNP project that interested me—all aspects drew me to the program.”

Burke, who is originally from Louisville, Kentucky, grew up hearing stories from her aunt who was a nurse.

“I loved listening to her stories and I remember thinking, ‘Nurses are so smart and they care so much about people.’ I wanted to be a nurse because of her," she says.

Like her aunt who cared so much for people, it was the faculty in NKU's Doctor of Nursing Practice program who made her education meaningful.

“The professor who invested in me most was Dr. Denise Robinson," she says. "Dr. Robinson was my DNP faculty advisor for my project. Dr. Robinson supported me and encouraged my work. She took time to listen and provide direct feedback. Dr. Robinson was invaluable to me because she kept my project objective.”

Burke says her ultimate goal is to make a difference.

In her roles at Norton Healthcare as an adjunct instructor at NKU, she makes sure to tell her students two things she has learned as a nurse.

“The three main principles which I call the ‘3C’s are culture, clinical and confidence… My motto is there are two constants in health care—patient safety and change.”

Burke wants to make sure future graduate students do their research before choosing a program.

“Make sure the program offers what you want, talk to a few people who have completed the program, then apply! Education is invaluable… NKU is an opportunity, you get out of it what you put in, therefore, make it count!”